A tiny fossilised prehistoric chick has shed light on the evolution of birds during the age of the dinosaurs, a new study has revealed.

The 127-million-year-old chick dates back to the Mesozoic Era from 250 to 65 million years ago and belonged to a group of prehistoric birds called Enantiornithes.

Measuring less than five centimetres, smaller than the average little finger, it would have weighed just three ounces when it was alive.